A Model Based Equalization Structure for Underwater Communications

The paper describes and studies a new equalization method based on matched field signal processing techniques. Relying on adequate models of the underwater acoustic channel, the parameters that specify the ray arrival structure are computed using estimates of the source position coordinates. This acquired knowledge enables the optimum recombination of the signal replicas collected at the receiver array. The sensitivity of this equalization algorithm with respect to errors in the source position is discussed, showing the efficiency of the method. Numerical simulations confirming the results of the sensitivity analysis are presented.